What does the town, Butcher's Crossing, represent in the novel, Butcher’s Crossing?

The border town of Butcher's Crossing symbolizes the struggle between industry and nature. Its economy is sustained through the destruction of nature. The primary source of wealth in the town comes from buffalo hides, which are bought in the eastern parts of the country where animal skins are considered fashionable clothing. Butcher's Crossing withers and dies when the market demand for buffalo hides disappears.